Mrs Smith’s Cafe (Riuwaka)

Just past Motueka on your way to Kaiteriteri, Mārahau, or Tākaka you’ll find Riuwaka (also known by the incorrect spelling of Riwaka). It’s a wee place famous for the Riuwaka Resurgence (we’ll write a separate post about that very special place soon).

It’s also a stop on the Great Taste Trail, the region’s wonderful cycle/walking (and running) trail which departs from Nelson Airport, goes all the way to Tapawera and also wends its way around to Kaiteriteri and back through Motueka, and Māpua, and via a ferry to Rabbit Island before making its way back to Nelson.

Another gem in Riuwaka is Mrs Smith’s Cafe. The cafe is on a big sweeping bend right by the tennis courts. It caters to the cycle trail users beautifully with plenty of racks set up for people to park their bikes securely and enjoy a wee break.

We’d heard that the cafe was good from someone who raved about their sausage rolls (apparently the recipe was transferred between owners when the cafe last changed hands).

The cafe was humming when we dropped in and the cabinet featured a wide range of delicious looking food. I couldn’t go past the whitebait sandwich and Clem had a salmon bagel with hot smoked salmon. The coffees were excellent and we bought a couple of yummy sweet treats to enjoy later on that afternoon.

We were well looked after my our friendly server. We’ll certainly be back!